Shooting training system with device allowing instructor to exhibit example to player in real-time

ABSTRACT

A shooting training system has an external trigger switch. A player operates a laser gun, and a coach for the player presses the external trigger switch at the time when the player should trigger the laser gun, while confirming the trajectory of the sight of the laser gun which is displayed on an external PC. A timing signal generated by the external trigger switch is transmitted via the laser gun and a shot impact detector to the external PC, which displays on a simulated image of a target the position of the sight of the laser gun at the timing indicated by the timing signal. The player adjusts the timing to pull the trigger based on the difference between the displayed position of the sight of the laser gun and an actual impact location of a light beam emitted from the laser gun triggered by the player. The player can improve the shooting skill through such timing adjustments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a shooting training system andmethod for training a player in shooting practice, and more particularlyto a shooting training system and method for training a player for ashooting competition which determines shooting skills based on theimpact location in which a light beam ejected from a beam gun hits atarget.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Heretofore, shooting has been known as one of competition events.In shooting competitions, it has been desired to use beam guns in lieuof real guns which need to be handled with sufficient care for safety.Known beam guns include beam guns which use flash light that have beendeveloped for competition use and beam guns, developed for shootingpractice, which are electrically connected by wires to a computer forindicating shot impacts.

[0005] The accuracy with which an optical system detects the impactlocation of a laser beam emitted from a beam gun is required to be on acompetition level. Beam guns for emitting laser beams are also requiredto be safe in handling. Efforts should be made to meet the aboverequirements and also to perform a shooting competition scorecalculating process accurately and with an increased speed.

[0006]FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings schematically shows aconventional electronic shooting competition system using beam gunswhich can be installed in a competition field. As shown in FIG. 1, theconventional electronic shooting competition system has a plurality ofshot impact detectors 2 positioned in alignment with respective shootingboxes each defined between two partition panels 3.

[0007] In FIG. 1, five sets of shooting boxes and five shot impactdetectors 2 are illustrated. However, the number of these sets is notlimitative. Basically, one shooting box 1 and one shot impact detector 2aligned therewith correspond to each other in position and competition.Light beam 34 is projected from one shooting box 1 toward one shotimpact detector 2 aligned therewith.

[0008] Square or circular target plate 4 is fixed to a front face ofeach shot impact detector 2. The front faces of all target plates 4jointly provide common target plane 5. The faces of all shooting boxeswhich confront target plates 4 jointly provide common shooting plane 6.Common target plane 5 and common shooting plane 6 lie parallel to eachother and extend vertically.

[0009] In FIG. 1, common target plane 5 and common shooting plane 6 arespaced from each other by 10 m or 25 m, for example, depending on thecompetition event. Target plates 4 differ depending either on 10 mtarget or on 25 m target.

[0010] In FIG. 1, the common shooting plane 6 across each shooting boxhas a width of 1 m for one-gun to one-target, and a variable width forone-gun to n-target. As exemplified, each shot impact detector 2 has awidth of 30 cm, and the two adjacent shot impact detectors 2 is spaced 1m.

[0011] Each shot impact detector 2 emits conical beam 8 from an infraredLED. Emitted conical beam 8 reaches only the shooting box that ispositioned directly in front of the shot impact detector from whichconical beam 8 is emitted. In principle, emitted conical beam 8 does notreach two shooting boxes at the same time.

[0012] Light beam 34 projected from laser gun 7 which is positioned as abeam gun in each of the shooting boxes represents a signal inherent inlaser gun 7. Light beam 34 comprises a highly parallel light beam andreaches each target plate 4 as a light spot. Each shot impact detector 2has an adjustment function to increase the electrical, mechanical, andoptical accuracy of a position detecting optical element used in shotimpact detector 2. Therefore, the accuracy with which the impactlocation of the laser beam emitted from each laser gun 7 is detected canbe brought to a competition level.

[0013]FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows, partly in block form, astructural arrangement of the conventional electronic shootingcompetition system. FIG. 2 illustrates laser gun 7 used by a player,target plate 4, player PC (Personal Computer) 66, and switching unit 96.Switching unit 96 comprises a switching hub of 10BASE-T LAN (Local AreaNetwork) 65. Player PC 66 is electrically connected to shot impactdetector 2 through switching unit 96.

[0014] The players each operate laser gun 7 to emit laser beam 34 towardtarget plate 4 and compete with one another who participate in theelectronic shooting competition event according to a score to be addedbased on the impact location of laser beam 34 on target plate 4. Lightbeam 34 is emitted from a laser diode mounted in laser gun 7. As with areal bullet shot from a real gun, laser beam 34 is shot from the muzzleof laser gun 7 and travels straight parallel to the line of sight oflaser gun 7.

[0015] As described above, shot impact detector 2 including target plate4 which is aligned with laser gun 7 of a player is electricallyconnected to player PC 66. Player PC 66 displays on its display screenthe player's number, the shot number, the score corresponding to theshot number, the total score, and the impact location in which lightbeam 34 hits target plate 4, simultaneously or at different times.

[0016] Player PC 66 or shot impact detector automatically carries out ashooting competition score calculating process. Since the scores of theplayers can thus be calculated accurately at a high speed, theelectronic shooting competition system can manage shooting competitionssmoothly.

[0017] As described above, each shot impact detector 2 emits conicalbeam 8 (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the corresponding shooting box.Laser gun 7 has a photodiode mounted thereon near its muzzle and facingforward. Unless conical beam 8 emitted from shot impact detector 2 isdetected by the photodiode on laser gun 7, i.e., unless laser gun 7 inthe shooting box is aimed at target plate 4, laser gun 7 is unable toemit light beam 34. Consequently, the electronic shooting competitionsystem provides safety in the handling of laser guns 7 in competitions.

[0018] Inasmuch as a signal (conical beam 8) serving as one ofconditions for permitting laser gun 7 to emit light beam 34 is generatedby shot impact detector 2 combined with target plate 4, the electronicshooting competition system is more target dominant than gun dominant incompetitions. Accordingly, the electronic shooting competition system isa fair system where the will of the competition sponsor (referee) isheld in respect.

[0019] Laser gun 7 emits a plurality of successive light beams 34 in onetriggering action. The emission of plural light beams 34 causes playerPC 66 or shot impact detector 2 to calculate not only a score for eachlight beam 34, but also an average of scores for respective light beams34. The emission of plural light beams 34 also makes it possible to givedifferent scores due to a slight wobbling of the hand which hastriggered laser gun 7, and also to convert body movements of the playerinto numerical values. Therefore, the electronic shooting competitionsystem can provide novel competition patterns or modes which have notbeen available in competitions in which a real bullet is shot in onetriggering action.

[0020] Light beam 34 contains a position detecting signal (second lightbeam) for use in the detection of an impact location and a light beamdistinguishing signal (light beam) for distinguishing the light beamfrom the other light beams. Insofar as laser gun 7 is receiving conicalbeam 8, the position detecting signal is continuously emitted from lasergun 7 even when laser gun 7 is not triggered.

[0021] When the position detecting signal hits target plate 4, shotimpact detector 2 detects the impact location of light beam 34. Theimpact location is successively transmitted from shot impact detector 2to player PC 66, which can display a simulated image of target plate 4.

[0022] Player PC 66 displays the impact location of light beam 34 as asuccession of light spots on the simulated image, showing the impactlocation as it changes as a trajectory followed by the sight of lasergun 7.

[0023] When laser gun 7 is triggered, laser gun 7 emits from its muzzlethe position detecting signal and the light beam distinguishing signalwhich are contained in light beam 34. Shot impact detector 2 detects theposition detecting signal and also the impact location of the light beamdistinguishing signal on target plate 4, and transmits the impactlocation to player PC 66. Player PC 66 displays on the simulated imageof target plate the trajectory of the position detecting signal and theimpact location of the light beam distinguishing signal as distinguishedfrom the trajectory of the position detecting signal.

[0024]FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows target plate 4. As shownin FIG. 3, target plate 4 has on its surface ten annular areas,including a central circular area just around center O, divided by tenconcentric circles around center O. These areas are also referred to asscore areas. Target plate 4 also has an outside area around the annularareas. The player gets no score when light beam 34 hits the outsidearea. A score for the outermost annular area, i.e., the annular areamarked with “1”, is 1. Scores for the other annular areas areprogressively incremented by 1 toward center O, and the score for thecentral circular area is 10.

[0025] As described above, when the position detecting signal from lasergun 7 hits target plate 4, shot impact detector 2 as PSD (PositionSensitive Detector) detects the impact location (x, y) in a coordinatesystem on target plate 4. The origin of the coordinate system is alignedwith center O of target plate 4. When the impact location (x, y) isdetected, the distance from center O to the impact location (x, y) iscalculated, and one of the score areas where the impact location (x, y)is positioned is located to determine the score for the shot.

[0026] Shot impact detector 2 has an optical system for detecting theimpact location on target plate 4. The optical system comprises acondenser lens and a semiconductor device. While a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice) or a PSD is available for use as the semiconductor device, thePSD is preferable to the CCD for its cost and detecting speed. The PSDhas a two-dimensional current generating membrane.

[0027] If a laser beam is focused by the condenser lens and applied as abeam spot to the two-dimensional current generating membrane at acoordinate position (x, y), then the two-dimensional current generatingmembrane generates therein currents which are two-dimensionally linearlycommensurate with the coordinate position (x, y). Specifically, thetwo-dimensional current generating membrane generates two currents Ix1,Ix2 flowing in two opposite directions along the x-axis and two currentsIy1, Iy2 flowing in two opposite directions along the y-axis. Thecoordinates x, y of the coordinate position (x, y) are calculated fromthe currents Ix1, Ix2, Iy1, Iy2 according to the following equations:

x=k(Ix 2−Ix 1)/(Ix 2+Ix 1)

y=k(Iy 2−Iy 1)/(Iy 2+Iy 1)

[0028] The beam spot position where both (Ix2−Ix1), (Iy2−Iy1) are zerois defined as the electrical and mechanical coordinate origin (0, 0) ofthe PSD. Target plate 4 needs to be positioned two-dimensionally withrespect to the PSD within an allowable accuracy range.

[0029] In the electronic shooting competition system, laser gun 7 andshot impact detector 2 should preferably operate in synchronism witheach other. In order to synchronize laser gun 7 and shot impact detector2, conical beam 8 emitted from shot impact detector 2 comprises a pulsedbeam which varies periodically.

[0030] Laser gun 7 detects the pulsed beam emitted from shot impactdetector 2 with the photodiode and generates a synchronizing signalbased on the detected pulsed beam. Laser gun 7 emits light beam 34 insynchronism with the generated synchronizing signal.

[0031] As described above, there have recently been available electronicshooting competition systems which are safer and more applicable tovarious competition patterns than real bullet shooting competitionsystems. Since it is expected that, because of the above advantages,electronic shooting competitions will gain more popularity as generalcompetitions and attract a rapidly growing population of players, it isdesirable to construct a scheme for bringing up electronic shootingplayers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0032] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anelectronic shooting competition system which is effective in bringing upplayers for electronic shooting competitions.

[0033] A shooting training system according to the present invention hasa timing indicating means which, when a person who operates a beam gun,i.e., a shooting player, is trained in shooting practice, allows aninstructor or coach for the player to indicate a timing to pull thetrigger of the beam gun while confirming the trajectory of the sight ofthe beam gun which is displayed on a display means. Since the differencebetween the time at which the player actually pulls the trigger of thebeam gun and the time at which the instructor decides for the player topull the trigger of the beam gun is known to the player, the shootingtraining system is effective in bringing up the player for electronicshooting competitions.

[0034] The display means may display an impact location on a target atthe timing indicated by the timing indicating means. The displayedimpact location allows the player to visualize the difference betweenthe time at which the player actually pulls the trigger of the beam gunand the time at which the instructor decides for the player to pull thetrigger of the beam gun.

[0035] The timing indicating means may be connected to the display meansto allow the shooting training system to perform a high-speed processingsequence, and can be simplified in arrangement.

[0036] The timing indicating means may be connected to the beam gunthrough a wireless communication link to allow the player to highlyconcentrate on a shooting competition.

[0037] The display means may display, in addition to the trajectory ofthe sight of the beam gun and impact locations, the difference betweenthe time when the timing is indicated by the timing indicating means andthe time when a light beam emitted from the beam gun hits the target.With the above information displayed, the player and others can visuallyrecognize any triggering timing deviations which serve as usefulinformation in training shooting players.

[0038] The shooting training system may have a timing teaching means forteaching the player the timing indicated by the timing indicating means.The timing teaching means allows the player to recognize the timingindicated by the instructor who operates the timing indicating means,and to pull the trigger of the beam gun at the recognized timing. Sincethe player can reduce the difference between the indicated timing andthe actual timing to emit the light beam from the beam gun, the playercan increase the shooting skill efficiently.

[0039] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following descriptionwith reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate examples ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional electronic shootingcompetition system using beam guns;

[0041]FIG. 2 is a view, partly in block form, of a structuralarrangement of the electronic shooting competition system;

[0042]FIG. 3 is a view of a target plate used in the electronic shootingcompetition system;

[0043]FIG. 4 is a view, partly in block form, of a structuralarrangement of an electronic shooting competition system according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 5 is a view of a simulated image of a target plate which isdisplayed by an external PC in the electronic shooting competitionsystem;

[0045]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram, partly in block form, of a circuitfor generating a trigger signal for a laser gun, the diagram alsoshowing signal waveforms generated in the circuit; and

[0046]FIG. 7 is a view, partly in block form, of a structuralarrangement of an electronic shooting competition system according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] 1st Embodiment:

[0048] An electronic shooting competition system according to a firstembodiment of the present invention will first be described below. FIG.4 shows, partly in block form, a structural arrangement of an electronicshooting competition system according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic shootingcompetition system according to the first embodiment comprises, inaddition to the elements of the conventional electronic shootingcompetition system shown in FIG. 2, external PC 101 as a display meansand external trigger switch 102 as a timing indicating means. Thoseparts shown in FIG. 4 which are identical to those shown in FIG. 2 aredenoted by identical reference numerals.

[0049] External PC 101 comprises a personal computer having a displayscreen and a keyboard for entering inputs. External PC 101 iselectrically connected to shot impact detector 2 through switching unit96. External PC 101 displays a simulated image of target plate 4 on itsdisplay screen.

[0050] External PC 101 displays, sequentially on its display screen, theimpact locations of the position detecting signal (second light beam)detected by shot impact detector 2, as a trajectory followed by thesight of laser gun 7 held by the player, and also the impact locationsof the light beam distinguishing signal (light beam) detected by shotimpact detector 2. External PC 101 is placed in such a position as toallow the instructor to confirm the display screen easily so that theinstructor can visually recognize how the player shoots.

[0051] When the player aims the muzzle of laser gun 7 at target plate 4,the position detecting signal is emitted (transmitted) consecutivelyfrom the muzzle of laser gun 7. The term “consecutively” used hereinmeans either “continuously” or “intermittently”. Shot impact detector 2detects the impact locations of the position detecting signal on targetplate 4, and transmits data of the impact location through switchingunit 96 to external PC 101 at all times.

[0052] When external PC 101 receives the data of the impact locationtransmitted from shot impact detector 2, external PC 101 calculates ascore of the player based on the received data, and displays,sequentially on its display screen, a succession of light spotsrepresenting the impact location received from shot impact detector 2 asa trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun 7.

[0053] The size of the area of the trajectory, the average distance ofthe trajectory from the center of trajectory plate 4, and the angulardistribution of the trajectory about the center of trajectory plate 4are strictly representative of relative motions of the barrel of lasergun 7 with respect to target plate 4. The generation and visualizationof the trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun 7 cannot beachieved in the conventional real bullet shooting competition systems.When the instructor instructs the player based on fluctuations of thetrajectory, the player can correct its action to trigger laser gun 7.

[0054] When the player pulls the trigger of laser gun 7, laser gun 7generates a trigger signal therein which enables the laser diode togenerate a light beam distinguishing signal, which is emitted from themuzzle of laser gun 7. Shot impact detector 2 then detects the impactlocation of the light beam distinguishing signal on target plate 4, andtransmits data of the impact location through switching unit 96 toexternal PC 101.

[0055] External PC 101 calculates a score of the player based on thereceived data of the impact location, displays the calculated score, andalso displays the impact location of the light beam distinguishingsignal on the display screen which is displaying the trajectory followedby the sight of laser gun 7, as distinguished from another impactlocation that is being displayed on the display screen. The impactlocation should preferably be distinguished from the other impactlocation by displaying in a color different from the color of the otherimpact location or highlighting only the displayed spot of the impactlocation.

[0056] External trigger switch 102 serves as a timing indicating meansfor indicating the timing to pull the trigger with a switch action.External trigger switch 102 is electrically connected to laser gun 7 bya cable. When external trigger switch 102 is pressed, it sends a signalrepresenting the pressing thereof, i.e., a timing signal, to laser gun7.

[0057] In the present embodiment, external trigger switch 102 and lasergun 7 are wired to each other. However, external trigger switch 102 andlaser gun 7 may be connected to each other by a wireless communicationmedium, e.g., a radio communication link according to the bluetoothprotocol or an infrared communication system. The wireless link thusestablished between external trigger switch 102 and laser gun 7 canrelieve the player of undesired obstacles which would otherwise impairmental stability and concentration of the player due to a wiredconnection from external trigger switch 102 to laser gun 7.

[0058] External trigger switch 102 is operated by the instructor for theplayer. While visually confirming the trajectory of the sight of lasergun 7 which is being displayed on the display screen of external PC 101,the instructor presses external trigger switch 102 at the time theinstructor decides that the player should pull the trigger of laser gun7.

[0059] Then, external trigger switch 102 sends the timing signal tolaser gun 7, which emits a light beam distinguishing signal (third lightbeam) from its muzzle.

[0060] When shot impact detector 2 detects the impact location of thelight beam distinguishing signal on target plate 4, shot impact detector2 transmits the detected impact location as an exemplary impact locationto external PC 101. External PC 101 displays the exemplary impactlocation at the timing indicated by external trigger switch 102 asdistinguished from any other impact locations displayed on the displayscreen.

[0061]FIG. 5 shows a simulated image of target plate 4 which isdisplayed on the display screen of external PC 101. As shown in FIG. 5,the displayed simulated image on the display screen of external PC 101includes a succession of light spots representing the impact location ofthe position detecting signal, i.e., a trajectory followed by the sightof laser gun 7, the impact location (exemplary location) of the lightbeam distinguishing signal which is emitted from laser gun 7 at a timingindicated by external trigger switch 102, and the impact location of thelight beam distinguishing signal which is emitted from laser gun 7 whenthe trigger of laser gun 7 is actually pulled by the player.

[0062] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the trajectory of the sight oflaser gun 7 starts from a position lower right from center O, movesclockwise through the score areas corresponding to the scores 9, 8, 7,passes through center O to the area corresponding to the score 7 upperright from center O, and reaches the final impact location in the areacorresponding to the score 7 upper right from center O. The exemplaryimpact location of the light beam distinguishing signal at the timingindicated by the instructor is at center O.

[0063] The trajectory, the player's impact location, and theinstructor's exemplary impact location are displayed so as to bedistinguishable from each other. For example, the trajectory of thesight of laser gun 7 is displayed in green, the player's impact locationin red, and the instructor's exemplary impact location in blue. A crosssign is also displayed around the player's impact location foremphasizing the player's impact location.

[0064]FIG. 6 shows, partly in block form, a circuit for generating atrigger signal in laser gun 7. FIG. 6 also shows signal waveformsgenerated in the circuit. As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit has shocksensor 201, comparator 202, input terminals 203, 204, capacitor 205,Schmitt trigger 206, and synchronizing circuit 207.

[0065] Shock sensor 201 produces an output signal which is supplied tocomparator 202. An output signal from comparator 202 and an input signalfrom input terminal 204 are pulled up by a power supply voltage of 3.3 Vapplied to input terminal 203, and applied to capacitor 205. While thepower supply voltage of 3.3 V is applied to input terminal 203 in theillustrated circuit, the power supply voltage is not limited to 3.3 V,but may be of another value.

[0066] Shock sensor 201 detects a shock produced when the trigger oflaser gun 7 is pulled, and outputs a signal representing the detectedshock. A waveform of the shock is shown by way of example below shocksensor 201 in FIG. 6. The waveform of the shock is illustrated as alow-level active waveform (which is active at a low level (0 V (L)).

[0067] Comparator 202 is supplied with the waveform of the shock outputfrom shock sensor 201. If the value of the waveform of the shock ishigher than a given threshold value, then comparator 202 outputs ahigh-level signal. If the value of the waveform of the shock is lowerthan the given threshold value, then comparator 202 outputs a low-levelsignal.

[0068] Comparator 202 thus outputs as an output signal a pulsed waveformwhich is shown below comparator 202 in FIG. 6. The output signal fromcomparator 202 is supplied to Schmitt trigger 206. Schmitt trigger 206shapes the waveform of the supplied signal, and outputs the shapedwaveform.

[0069] As described above, laser gun 7 receives conical beam 8 (seeFIG. 1) transmitted from target plate 4 by the photodiode. Conical beam8 is input as a pulsed wave (synchronizing signal) having a period of 5ms., as shown in a lower right section in FIG. 6. Laser gun 7 generatesa trigger signal based on the synchronizing signal input to thephotodiode.

[0070] Specifically, synchronizing circuit 207 is supplied with thesignal output from Schmitt trigger 206 and the synchronizing signal fromthe photodiode. Synchronizing circuit 207 generates a trigger signal attime t₁ in FIG. 6 when the signal output from Schmitt trigger 206 is lowin level at a leading edge of the synchronizing signal.

[0071] When the trigger signal is generated, laser gun 7 emits a lightbeam, i.e., a light beam distinguishing signal, from a semiconductorlaser device disposed therein. Since the synchronizing signal has aperiod of 5 ms., the period of time during which the output pulse fromSchmitt trigger 206 is active at the low level needs to be at least 5ms.

[0072] When the timing signal is output from external trigger switch102, the timing signal is supplied to input terminal 204 of the circuitin laser gun 7. The supplied signal is also applied to Schmitt trigger206. Therefore, in response to the timing signal from external triggerswitch 102, synchronizing circuit 207 generates a trigger signal, whichenables laser gun 7 to emit a light beam distinguishing signal.

[0073] As described above, laser gun 7 emits a light beam distinguishingsignal both when the trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled by the player andwhen external trigger switch 102 is pressed by the instructor.Consequently, it is necessary for the light beam distinguishing signalto include information indicative of whether it has been generated whenthe trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled or it has been generated whenexternal trigger switch 102 is pressed.

[0074] Based on such information included in the light beamdistinguishing signal, shot impact detector 2 determines whether thelight beam distinguishing signal has been generated when the trigger oflaser gun 7 is pulled or the light beam distinguishing signal has beengenerated when external trigger switch 102 is pressed. Accordingly,external PC 101 can display, on its display screen, the exemplary impactlocation and the player's impact location as distinguished from eachother based on a signal from shot impact detector 2.

[0075] 2nd Embodiment:

[0076] A shooting training system according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.FIG. 7 shows in block form a shooting training system according to asecond embodiment of the present invention. The shooting training systemaccording to the second embodiment differs from the shooting trainingsystem according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that itlacks external trigger switch 102 as the timing indicating means.

[0077] In the shooting training system according to the secondembodiment, certain input key 110 on the keyboard, as an input device,of external PC 101 serves as the timing indicating means. According tothe second embodiment, therefore, the timing indicating means can beregarded as being directly connected to external PC 101 as a displaymeans, rather than laser gun 7.

[0078] The instructor for the player who operates laser gun 7 pressesinput key 110 of external PC 101 at the time the instructor decides thatthe player should pull the trigger of laser gun 7, while visuallyconfirming the trajectory of the sight of laser gun 7 which is beingdisplayed on the display screen of external PC 101.

[0079] When input key 110 is pressed, external PC 101 displays theimpact location of the position detecting signal, which is transmittedfrom shot impact detector 2, as the exemplary impact location on thesimulated image.

[0080] According to the second embodiment, a scheme for indicating theshooting timing, e.g., part of the circuit in laser gun 7 shown in FIG.6 which is used to indicate the shooting timing, is not required in theshooting training system. Therefore, the system arrangement forindicating the shooting timing may be simplified.

[0081] In the shooting training system according to the secondembodiment, input key 110 on the keyboard of external PC 101 is used asthe timing indicating means. However, a pointing device such as a mouseor the like may be used as the timing indicating means. Alternatively,an external switch such as external trigger switch 102 according to thefirst embodiment may be directly connected to external PC 101, or may bedirectly connected to shot impact detector 2.

[0082] The display screen external PC 101 may display, in addition tothe simulated image of target plate 4 on which the trajectory of thesight of laser gun 7 and the impact locations are displayed, a time atwhich the light beam distinguishing signal emitted when the trigger oflaser gun 7 is pulled hits target plate 4, a time at which the shootingtiming is indicated by the pressing of input key 110 on the keyboard ofexternal PC 101, and the difference between the time when the light beamdistinguishing signal hits target plate 4 and the time when the shootingtiming is indicated. With these times displayed, the player and otherscan visually recognize any triggering timing deviations which serve asuseful information in training shooting players.

[0083] The shooting training systems according to the first and secondembodiments may additionally have a timing teaching means for teachingthe player who operates laser gun 7 the timing which is indicated by thetiming indicating means. For example, the shooting training system mayhave a lighting device, such as an LED or the like, disposed in aposition that can easily be seen by the player even when the player isaiming laser gun 7, e.g., on laser gun 7 or near target plate 4. Thetiming teaching means thus arranged can train the player to pull thetrigger of laser gun 7 when the lighting device is turned on.

[0084] The above training process allows the player to make efforts toreduce the difference between the indicated timing and the actual timingto emit the light beam distinguishing signal, thus increasing the skillof the player efficiently. The timing teaching means may comprise ameans for indicating the shooting timing with sound.

[0085] In the shooting training systems according to the first andsecond embodiments, the position detecting signal and the light beamdistinguishing signal may be emitted from a single light source in lasergun 7 and travel along a single signal path, or may be emitted fromdifferent light sources in laser gun 7 and travel along different signalpaths.

[0086] In the shooting training systems according to the first andsecond embodiments, a light beam distinguishing signal is emitted fromlaser gun 7 when the trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled. However, thepresent invention is not limited to any particular mechanism andoperation for emitting a light beam distinguishing signal from laser gun7, but any of various structures may be used to emit a light beamdistinguishing signal from laser gun 7. For example, laser gun 7 mayhave a manipulating unit such as a pushbutton, for example, mounted onlaser gun 7 for emitting a light beam distinguishing signal in responseto a player's action on the manipulating unit.

[0087] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in specific terms, such description is for illustrativepurposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shooting training system comprising: a beam gunfor emitting a light beam from a muzzle thereof in response to an actionon a manipulating unit thereof; a target for being shot by said beamgun; a shot impact detector for detecting an impact location of saidlight beam on said target; and timing indicating means for indicating atiming to act on said manipulating unit.
 2. A shooting training systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: display means for displayingthe impact location of said light beam detected by said shot impactdetector.
 3. A shooting training system according to claim 2, whereinsaid beam gun continuously emits a second light beam after it hasemitted said light beam as a first light beam, and said display meansdisplays an impact location of said second light beam on said target asit changes with respect to the impact location of said first light beam,as a trajectory of the sight of said beam gun on a simulated image ofsaid target.
 4. A shooting training system according to claim 2, whereinsaid display means displays an impact location on said target at thetiming indicated by said timing indicating means, as an exemplary impactlocation distinguished from the other impact location.
 5. A shootingtraining system according to claim 4, wherein said display meansdisplays said exemplary impact location in a color different from acolor of the other impact location.
 6. A shooting training systemaccording to claim 5, wherein said display means displays said exemplaryimpact location as a displayed spot highlighted against a display spotof the other impact location.
 7. A shooting training system according toclaim 4, wherein said timing indicating means outputs a timing signalwhen said timing is indicated thereby.
 8. A shooting training systemaccording to claim 7, wherein said timing indicating means transmitssaid timing signal to said beam gun.
 9. A shooting training systemaccording to claim 8, wherein said beam gun emits a third light beamwhen said beam gun receives a timing signal transmitted from said timingindicating means, and said shot impact detector transmits an impactlocation of said third light on said target as said exemplary impactlocation to said display means.
 10. A shooting training system accordingto claim 7, wherein said timing indicating means transmits said timingsignal to said shot impact detector.
 11. A shooting training systemaccording to claim 10, wherein said shot impact detector transmits animpact location on said target when said timing signal is input to saidshot impact detector, as said exemplary impact location to said displaymeans.
 12. A shooting training system according to claim 7, wherein saidtiming indicating means transmits said timing signal to said displaymeans.
 13. A shooting training system according to claim 12, whereinsaid display means displays an impact location on said target which isreceived from said shot impact detector when said timing signal is inputto said display means, as said exemplary impact location distinguishedfrom the other impact location.
 14. A shooting training system accordingto claim 8, wherein said timing indicating means transmits said timingsignal to said beam gun through a wireless communication link.
 15. Ashooting training system according to claim 1, wherein said displaymeans displays a time at which the light beam emitted from said beam gunwhen said manipulating unit is acted on hits said target.
 16. A shootingtraining system according to claim 1, wherein said display meansdisplays a time at which the timing is indicated by said timingindicating means.
 17. A shooting training system according to claim 1,wherein said display means displays the difference between a time atwhich the light beam emitted from said beam gun when said manipulatingunit is acted on hits said target and a time at which the timing isindicated by said timing indicating means.
 18. A shooting trainingsystem according to claim 1, further comprising: timing teaching meansfor teaching a person who operates said beam gun the timing indicated bysaid timing indicating means.
 19. A method of training a player inshooting practice in a shooting training system having a beam gun foremitting a light beam from a muzzle thereof in response to an action ona manipulating unit thereof, a target for being shot by said beam gun, ashot impact detector for detecting an impact location of said light beamon said target, and timing indicating means for indicating a timing toact on the manipulating unit, said method comprising the step of:indicating the timing to act on the manipulating unit with said timingindicating means.
 20. A beam gun for emitting a light beam from a muzzlethereof in response to an action on a manipulating unit thereof,comprising: an interface for being supplied with a timing signal whichis generated when a timing to act on the manipulating unit is indicated,the arrangement being such that the beam gun emits a light beamdistinguishable from said light beam when said timing signal is input tosaid interface.
 21. A display device for displaying an impact locationon a target of a light beam emitted from a beam gun in response to anaction on a manipulating unit thereof, comprising: an interface forbeing supplied with a timing signal which is generated when a timing toact on the manipulating unit is indicated, the arrangement being suchthat the display device displays an impact location on the target whensaid timing signal is input to said interface, as an exemplary impactlocation distinguished from the other impact location on said target.